Thursday, March 4, 2010

Anton Medvedev (far left, pun intended), a student government legislator at the University of Maryland College Park and former FMF intern, recently passed an SGA resolution requiring any crisis pregnancy centers advertising on campus to state they don't provide birth control or abortion.

This is a great example of how you can create a campus more hospitable to choice and women's rights. We encourage everyone fighting CPCs to keep up the great work - efforts like this are critical for sustaining a vocal pro-choice majority.

If you're concerned like we are about anti-abortion group targeting college campuses, work with your student senators to pass a bill like Anton's in the student government. The passage of this resolution also highlights the importance of having feminists in student government!

Below is the resolution, for your reading pleasure. If you're interested in introducing a similar bill on your campus or want to contact Anton, email us at campusteam@feminist.org.

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A Resolution Regarding Crisis Pregnancy Centers Advertising on Campus

F 09-11-28B

1. Whereas the SGA advocates for the safety and well being of the student body; and,

2. WHEREAS, most CPCs in the United States are not medical clinics. They are primarily staffed by volunteers who have no medical training; and,

3. WHEREAS, females on our campus and in our community deserve neutral, comprehensive and accurate medical information about abortion and birth control; and,

4. WHEREAS, the University Health Center does not refer campus community members to “Crisis Pregnancy Centers” (CPCs) and only refers to legitimate clinics; and,

5. WHEREAS, the Diamondback newspaper displays advertisements for CPCs in print and online.

6. WHEREAS, these advertisements direct women to sources that may provide false information about birth control and abortion.

7. WHEREAS, CPCs, use deceptive names and locate near legitimate women’s health centers, in an attempt to intimidate and coerce females out of considering abortion as an option; and,

8. WHEREAS, Congressional Investigators found the vast majority of CPCs provide false or misleading information about the health effects of abortion and often grossly misrepresent and distort the medical risks of abortion, telling women that having an abortion could increase the risk of breast cancer, result in sterility, and lead to suicide and “post-abortion stress disorder” – a condition that is not recognized by the American Psychological Association or the American Psychiatric Association; and,

9. WHEREAS, Baltimore City requires CPCs to post signs disclosing that they do not offer referrals for or information about abortion and contraception; and,

10. WHEREAS, Baltimore City Council President Stephanie Rawlings-Blake considers this move a "step towards making sure that women have the information they need to make the right decision for their health and their future;" and,

11. WHEREAS, Montgomery County is currently considering a “truth in advertising” bill that would required CPCs to disclose their non-clinic and/or non-referral status;

12. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the SGA strongly recommends all current and future CPC advertisements distributed by the Diamondback and other sources to the campus community come with a disclosure warning about CPC’s non-clinic and/or non-referral status.

We work with students on college campuses to effect change at the grassroots, national, and global levels. The Campus Program is built upon FMF’s philosophy that the most effective activism is informed activism--through study and action. Our program provides students with opportunities to learn about timely feminist issues, develop their leadership and organizing skills, and connect with the larger pro-choice and feminist movements.

The Feminist Campus blog is written by staff members, interns, and student affiliates of the Feminist Majority Foundation's campus program. The individual views expressed do not necessarily reflect those of the Feminist Majority Foundation.